Why HPV Vaccine for Young Adolescent Girls?

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday launched the free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme that would benefit approximately 3.45 lakh girls in Andhra Pradesh. The vaccine is aimed at curbing cervical cancer and it would be administered for girls aged 14 years in the state. The vaccine cannot treat an existing HPV infection or existing cancer. It can only prevent the onset of the cancer. 

The programme launched at Cheepurupalli in Vizianagaram district, coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide rollout at Ajmer, Rajasthan. Basing on the requirement, the central government would supply additional doses.

Parents’ consent will be obtained before administering the vaccine. Recipients will be observed for nearly half-an-hour post-vaccination before being allowed to leave.

The free vaccination drive was rolled out in the backdrop of alarming cancer statistics. AP recorded 75,000 new cancer cases between 2021 and 2025, with an average of 30,000 deaths annually. Of the 38,055 women who died due to breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers during this period, 53% succumbed to breast cancer, while 31% died from cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is administered in a 0.5 ml dose. It protects against four major virus strains (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) that cause cervical cancer.

HPV vaccine is a highly effective, safe, non-live vaccine that prevents infections from the HPV that causes cervical, vaginal, and anal cancers. The administration of the vaccine is highly recommended for young adolescents, particularly girls, aged 9-14 years, before they become sexually active. HPV is a highly infectious and predominantly spread through sexual contact and the vaccine works best if given before someone is exposed to the virus.

Earlier, the vaccine used to be a 2 or 3-dose series, but now, the practice is moving towards a single-dose strategy for the young girls. The vaccine has been extensively studied with over 500 million doses administered globally. After administration of the vaccine, there would be some mild side effects that the girls could experience like slight pain or redness at the injection site.

Studies showed that younger adolescents have a stronger response to the HPV vaccine compared to older age groups. It was found that administering the vaccine to boys or women aged 18 years requires more doses to prevent a similar number of cancer cases, and hence, less cost-effective.